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Hatchbacks Mazda3 MazdaSpeed3: Styling Impressions
548 messages, Last post on Aug 08, 2007 at 5:21 PM
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Replying to: seanwms6 (Sep 18, 2006 9:28 pm) I haven't figured that one out either. I know that torque steer is a function fo half-shaft length as well as suspension geometry. The only thing differing half-shaft diameters would do for you would be different rates of torsional stiffness. I wonder if torque steer is caused (in part) by 'axle windup'. IOWs, torque is applied to the end of the half-shafts at the tranny end but the axle twists (very slightly) due to the grip of the tire. Half-shafts of differing lengths would twist at different rates. Rather than try to get the two shafts at exactly the same length, maybe they make the longer shaft slightly thicker so that both shafts twist at the same rate? I dunno. That's just my theory.
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Replying to: rorr (Sep 19, 2006 4:21 am) That would be my guess too. I don't belive the shafts in the MPS3 are of equal length so making one thicker would slow it's rate of spin and even out the power delivery. But I'm no engineer so anyone who knows the real deal please stand up!  It makes sense if you think about it though. Take wheel diameters and how increasing/decreasing them changes the way a vehicle behaves. Speedometers need recalibrated, fuel economy chages slightly, etc.
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Replying to: baggs32 (Sep 19, 2006 4:44 am) |
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surprised this board is so quiet... http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=116868 |
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Here's the skinny on the Nov C&D review. I picked it up at the N.Austin Barnes & Noble thanks to a tip from Rorr. Very good review overall, well-written with touches of Top Gear color. For example: "The Verdict: Mazda's minute wagon gets drunk on boost without losing it's balance." Apparently they had a tough time figuring out how to get the best drag strip times. They asked Mazda and Mazda told them to "flat shift through 2nd and 3rd . . . . Don't worry it won't break." Apparently keeping the thing floored while shifting violates C&D's test protocols, and they equate this to dropping a Steinway on the clutch and half-shafts. So I am unclear if they followed this advice or not. Everybody was happy with it. The editor who was so worried about torque steer says that Mazda has "shackled the torque steer demon, pretty much. . . . Wow, how do you say GTI in Japanese?" Another says "Apart from [a notchy, vague shifter and having to push a button to remove the key], it's a brilliant little car." Last guy says "The line forms behind me!" I can't believe they added a button you have to push to remove the key. Do they like having customers curse them every time they shut the car off? Anyway, for those who are interested the 0-100 mph acceleration breaks down like this: 0-30 - 2.3 40 - 3.4 50 - 4.4 60 - 5.8 70 - 7.2 80 - 9.3 90 - 11.4 100 - 14.8 110 - 17.8 120 - 21.9 They list top gear acceleration from 30-50 and 50-70, but I think that's stupid. If you want to go faster drop down a gear or two. I'm surprised they didn't throw it into engine protection mode with all the knock a 6th gear 30-50 roll-on would cause. Skidpad - .87g; understeer - minimal; braking 70-0 - 167 ft.
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Replying to: seanwms6 (Sep 25, 2006 10:34 am) Actually, it has been there since 2004 for all manual Mazda3's. It is right by your thumb. You can turn the car off, but, the radio will stay on, to turn it the second click, you must push the button under your thumb. It's no big deal. I do it every day...
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Sep 25, 2006 1:11 pm) |
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Replying to: seanwms6 (Sep 25, 2006 10:34 am)  Did they post a 'street-start' 5-60 run? I like looking at that number as a better indicator of roll-on power; it takes the whole clutch-drop issue out of the picture.
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Replying to: rorr (Sep 26, 2006 5:03 am)
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Replying to: seanwms6 (Sep 26, 2006 8:36 am) Yeah, seems a little slow. I tried to dig up the comparison test they did back in March between the Civic Si and the GTI. I found the 5-60 for the Civic Si on the C&D website (5-60 in 7.5 seconds) but couldn't find the GTI numbers. But my memory tells me the GTI had a sub-7 sec. rolling start time. Which seems awfully quick for a car down by 70+ ftlbs and with slightly more vehicle weight than the Speed3.
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